Wrapping and unwrapping machine



Apr. 10, 1923. 7 1,451,051 F. M. PIERCE WRAPPING AND UNWRAPPING MACHINE Filed Sept. 11, 1917 8 sheets-'sheet l Z a? firs/7A i/bi'c i W F. M. PIERCE WRAPPING AND UNWRAPPING MACHINE Apr. 10, 1923.

Filed Sept. 11, 1917 8 sheets-sheet 2 EEEEE Apr. 10, 1923. 1,451,051

F. M. PIERCE WRAPPING AND UNWRAPPING MACHINE Filed Sept. 11, 191? s sheefis sheet 5 39f Q6 69 1Z6 6 g /20 79 EEEEE u s- 8 6 2 I v I Apr. 10, 1923. 1,451,051

F. M. PIERCE WRAPPING AN]? UN-WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Sept. 11, 1917 8 sheets-sheet 4 W EEEEE pram. 1M. Pierce Apr. 10, 1923, 1,4 51,051 F. M. PIERCE WRAPPING AND UNWRAPPJiNG MACHINE Filed Sept. 1.1, 191'? s sheets-sheet '6 Apr. 10, 1923. 1,451,051

' F. M. PIERCE WRAPPING AND UNWRAPPING MACHINE Filed Sept. 11, 191'; a sheets-sheet Apr. 10, 1923.

'- F. M. PIERCE WRAPPING AND UNWRAPPING MACHINE Filed Sept. 1l', 1917 8 sheets-sheet 8 Patented A r. 10, 1923.

'TUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE? FRANK M. PIERCE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AS SIGNOR'TO PIERCE WRAPPING MACHINE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

hwaarrntc AND nwnarrmc macnmn.

Application filed September 11, 1917. Serial No. 190,782.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK M. PIERCE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinols, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Wrapping and Unwrapping Machine; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompan ing drawings,

and to the numerals of re erencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in wrapping and unwrapping machines.

In the construction of tires or casings, the tire is built up on a suitable mold until of the desired configuration andv then an investing wrap-per of wet canvas is wound f about the same to firmly bind the various layers of material together after which the same is placed in the vulcanizer until the various layers are vulcanized into homogeneous mass after which the investing layer of canvas is removed or unwound.

Heretofo-re the expense connected with the manufacture of tread wrapped tires, has been much greater than that for the molded type of tire. In consequence, although the tread wrapped'tire is thought by most manufacturers and users to be superior to the molded tire, nevertheless manufacturers, because of competition and the expense of wrapping, have been forced to practically discard the manufacture of tread wrapped tires except for the more expensive grades.

One of the material items in this expense, has been the cost of the fabric bandage with which the tread is wrapped, this being heretofore of cloth fabric, usually cotton and subjected to sulphur, steam and other chemicals generated in the vulcanizing of the tires, can be used for but seven or eight tires, when it must be renewed.

The winding of the bandage about the tread by methods heretofore used, and the removal of the bandage from the tread by hand, as heretofore, consumedmuch time, and the usage to which the bandage is subjected, soon proves destructive.

It is one object of this invention to afford a machine for wrapping treads of tires quickly and uniformly preliminary to vulcanlzlng, and also to afford a machine adaptable for removing or unwinding the bandage from the tire with a minimum expenditure of time, and without injury to the bandage, and to this end a metallic or partly metalllc' bandage may be used.

Machines for mechanically winding the investing canvas strips on the mold and layers of material have sometimes been used but none of the devices heretofore constructed have been capable of use for unwinding the strips.

It is an object of this invention to provide a machine for the purpose specified in which an investing strip may be wound onto or off of a casing and mold and in which the strip that is wound onto the article to be wrapped is saturated with water to prevent the strip from being vulcanized to the rest of the tire and becoming an integral part thereof.

.It is also an object of this lnveiition to provide a machine of the class specified in which the shuttle is constantly rotated about the article wrapped or unwrapped and in which the spool for the wrapping strip is driven synchronously therewith towind or unwind the strip as the case may be. 7

It is further an object of this invention to provide a winding or unwinding spool and a frictional drive therefor adapted to permit slip-page of the spool when necessary to obtain best winding results.

It is further an object of this invention to provide mechanism for supporting the article to be wrapped adapted to be operated to cant the article or vary the adjustment thereof sothat in unwinding the strip, the casing and mold is accurately positioned for the strip to be in exact alignment with the spool, for wrappings, in which the pitch or overlap of the strip varies.

It is further an object of this invention to provide a machine in which the machine may be set or adjusted to vary the overlap or pitch of the strip as wound on the article and an indicator by means of which the desired overlap may be ascertained.

It is further an object of this invention to provide a machine of the class specified to provide mechanism for frictionally driving the article to be wrapped in one direct-ion in applying the wrapping and for driving the which is adjustable to operate on articles of |various sizes and to operate on the different sized articles with equal efiiciency.

It is also an object of this invention to provide in a machine of the class described an improved supporting and rotatlng mechanism for the articles to be wrapped whereby the possible danger of scoring or otherwise deforming the raw rubber in winding the investing layer thereon is eliminated.

The invention (in a preferred form), is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken through the machine.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan view taken above the supporting or driving rollers.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail of the aligning mechanism and the automatic belt tightener.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of the supporting rollers and tank and mechanism for adjusting the same.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of the mechanism for adjusting the supporting rollers and tank.

Figure 8 is a view of the shuttle and mechanism for dri-vin the spool.

Figure 9 is an en arged detail of the mechanism for holding the friction drive for the supporting rollers yieldingly in con tact with the friction pulleys.

Figure .10" is an enlarged sectional view of the mechanism for driving the spool or wrapper carrier.

Figure'll is a View of the shuttle with parts omitted.

Fi ure 12 is a sectional view taken through the s uttle showing the supporting anti-friction rollers.

Figure 13 is a view of the spool carrier.

Figure 14 is a detail illustrating the eccentric for maintaining the proper frictional engagement between the friction drive wheels and shuttle frame for driving the spool carrier and the wrench for actuating the same.

Figure 15 is a detail of the spool on which the wrapping is Wound or carried.

its pul Figure 16 is an enlarged sectional view of the spool.

overlap of the winding strip.

Figure 18 is an enlarged detail view of the adjusting means for the aligning rollers. I

Figure 19 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the drive for the aligning rollers.

Figure 20 is a top plan view. thereof.

Figure 21 is a detail of the slide.

Figure 22 is an enlarged detail of the brake mechanism.

Figure 23 illustrates a sectiohal view of a modified form of supporting mechanism for the articles wrapped.

Figure 24 is .a fragmentary top plan view thereof.

Figure 25 is a transverse vertical section thereof illustrating the detail'of construction.

Figure 26 is a longitudinal section take through the spool carrier. I

As shown on the drawings:

The frame may be constructed of any suitable shape and size and is denoted as a whole by the reference numeral 1. Integral wit and forming part of the frame is a curved arm 2, which supports the shuttle. Journalle'd in the arm 2, and an upright 3, is the drive shaft 4, which is provided with a drive pulley and clutch 5, of any well known construction.

Secured to the drive shaft 4, are drive pulleys and friction disks 6, 7 and" 8, and.

the mechanisms driven thereby will be hereinafter fully described.

For the purpose of operating the. clutch, l

a .lever 9, is pivoted at its lower end to the frame and adjacent the upper end is provided with a slotted yoke 10, in the slot in which engages a pin 11 on the hub 12 of the clutch. The upper end of the lever 9, has pivoted thereto a link 13, which moves in a slot in a guide arm 14, integral with one of the bearings for the drive shaft 4. A brake shoe 15, is connected tov the link 13, adapted when the clutch is releasedfrom ey to engage the friction disk 6, to stop the machine and when. the clutch is engaged with the pulley the brake shoe is simultaneously released.

For the purpose of actuating the lever 9, a foot release lever 16, is pivoted at one.end to the frame and at its outer end extends into position to beengaged by the foot and a link 17, pivotally connects the levers 9, and 16, at points intermediate their ends as shown clearly in Figure 2. A foot lever 18, is pivoted to the frame and its inner end '19, is directed upwardly to engage beneath an openin through which the article to be wrappe or'unwrapped is inserted. This frame is constructed to provide an annular channel, the bottom wall 21, of which forms an inner friction faces Journalled between the wall 22, and a plate 23, are a plurality of anti-friction rollers 24, on which the shuttle 25 rotates.

The shuttle 25, is annular in shape and provided with a channel in which engage the rollers 24, and the shuttle is rovided with an opening of suitable widt Said shuttle is driven by means of a belt 26, which is trained around the drive pulley 7, around the outer periphery of the shuttle, idler pulley 27, and idler pulleys 28 and 29. As clearly shown in Figure 1, the idler pulley 29 is journalled on one end of a lever the opposlte end of which is apertured and has a guide bolt 31, extending therethrough. Secured on the guide bolt 31, is a pushing spring 32, which at all times exerts a pressure on lever 30, to automatically retain the driving belt 25, under the proper friction tension.

Journalled in the shuttle 25, are shafts 33-34-35, on the inner end of each of which ,is keyed or otherwise secured a friction wheel 36, faced with a suitable friction element 37, shown in detail in Figure 10. These friction wheels engage friction face 21 of the casing and as the shuttle rotates the friction wheels are driven to rotate the respective shafts. Also rigidly keyed to each shaft 33-34-35, is a sprocket Wheel 38, around which is trained a sprocket chain 39, which of course is continuously driven as two or more of the friction wheels 36, contact the casing at all times. The tension of the chain is maintained by idler sprocket 40, and tension devices 41-42, over which the chain is trained. The chain also is trained over the idler sprocket wheel 44, as shown in Figure 26.

Rigidly secured on the hub of friction roller 36, on shaft 35, is a sprocket wheel 43, which meshes with sprocket wheel 44, on shaft 45, journalled to the shuttle. Rigidly secured to shaft 45 is a friction disk 46, having a friction lining 47, of suitable material. Journalled on the shaft 45 is a spool carrier 48, in the form-of a sleeve rigidly secured to which is a friction disk 49, which is yieldingly held in friction relation with the disk 46, by means of a spring 50, which bears against the inner end of the sleeve and against a collar 51, on the shaft which in turn bears against nuts 52-53.

The spool carrier or sleeve 48, has a notch 54, in the outer end thereof in which the lug 55, on' the spool 56, is adapted to fit when the spool is in place which locks the spool thereto. Said spool also is provided with a recess 57, and a pin 58 fits therein between which and the spool the end of the strip sleeves 59, arejournalled on the shafts 33- 34-35, and extend into apertures in the hub of the friction wheels. Said eccentrics 59, are provided with hexagonal ends 60, on which a suitable wrench 61 is engaged and the outer ends of thewrench handle is provided with an aperture 62, in which a screw or tap bolt may be inserted and threaded into an aperture in the shuttle for rigidly maintaining the eccentric in any adjustment. (The tap bolt threaded into the shuttle is not shown but is readily understood).

For the purpose of aligning articles to be wrapped or unwrapped, a pair of shafts 63,

are journalled to the shuttle frame 20, and rigidly secured to the shafts are downwardly depending arms 64, on the lower ends of which rollers 65, are journalled, adapted to engage the article to be Wrapped therebetween. Toggle levers 66-67, are secured at one end to the shafts 63, and at their opposite ends are journalled on shaft or pintle 68, from which depends a link 69, to which is pivotally connected one end of a lever 70, connected to handle 71.

For the purpose of rigidly holding the rollers 65, in any adjustment, the lever 70, passes between two vise or clamp members 7273, and a clamp 74, is threaded on shaft 75, by means of which the vise or clamp is tightened and released from the lever 70.

For the purpose of thoroughly saturating the investing wrapper with water as it is being wound on or off the article and after wound thereon a pump 76, is provided which is connected to-the water tank 7 7 by means of a flexible pipe 78. Leading from the pump is a supply pipe 79, which has a suitable valve 80, for controlling the quantity of water pumped and a nozzle 81, communicates with pipe 79, and is adapted to deliver the water directly onto the wrapper as it is being wound onto or off the article as preferred and also upon the article wrapped to thoroughly saturate the investing'wrapper.

For the purpose-of driving the pump a pulley 82, is secured on pump shaft 83, an a belt 84, is trained therearound and around pulley 8, on the drive shaft 4.

The tank 77, is constructed with opposite sides cut away to permit the way -86, projecting therein. Rigidly secured to the tank is a frame 87, which, as shown in F igure 4, is provided with oppositely disposed grooves in' which said ways 85-86, engage.

for guiding the vertical movement of the tank and associated parts.

Journalled in said frame 87, at opposite ends thereof are shafts 88-89, on which are secured grooved supporting and rotating rollers 9091, for the articles to be operated on.

For the purpose of adjusting the tank and rollers 90-91, to accommodate articles of different sizes, a cable 92, is secured at one end to an attaching member 93, rigidly secured to the frame 1, (see Fig. Said cable extends downwardly from the attaching member 93, around guide or idler pul- .lley 94, secured to the frame 87 through apertures in the frame 87, around idler pulley 95, around guide pulleys 9697, and is attached at one end to sheave or pulley 98, on shaft 99, (see Fig. 7). Secured on shaft 99,

is a worm wheel 100, which meshes with a Worm 101, on shaft 102, provided with a crank 103, for manual actuation.

Means are provided for driving the shaft 88, and roller 90, and for varying the speed thereof to thereby control the overlap or pitch of the wrapping strip. For this purpose a worm wheel 104, is secured on shaft 88 and a bracket 10!) is journalled on the shaft having a pair of arms through which a. vertical shaft 106 extends and slidable on said shaft 106. between the bracket arms is a worm 107 which meshes with worm wheel 104 at all t mes.

Secured on the upper end of shaft 106, is a friction disk 108, adapted to be rocked to engage either the friction disk 6 or 7, whereby either a winding or unwinding rotation of the supporting roller 90, is attained. Also should the winding strip break in winding, the rotation may be reversed to any extent desired as just described to give an overlap of the broken ends of the bandage or wrapping to complete the winding, of course. again shifting to the proper winding rotation to continue winding.

- For the purpose of adjusting the friction wheel 108, and shaft 106, a sleeve 109, is secured on said shaft provided with a boss 110. having a recess therein in which fits the ball shaped end of lever 111, secured to shaft 112, journalled to the frame 1.

Secured to the outer end of shaft 112, is a link 113. wh ch is pivotally connected to a shaft 114, provided at its upper end with a worm 115, which has threaded engagement with an adjusting sleeve 116, journalled in a bracket 117. The adjusting sleeve 116, has suitable collars thereon for manual actuation of the same in adjusting the shaft. Also rigidly secured to the shaft 112, is an indicator 118, and a scale plate of overlap or pitch 119, is secured to the frame 1.

For the purpose of rocking the friction disk 108, to enga 0 either drive friction disk 6-7, the sli e or sleeve 109, is provided with oppositely disposed slots or ways in which engage pins 120, secured to links 121, which are secured on shaft 122. Pivoted at on end to the shaft 122, is a lever 123, which at its opposite end is pivoted to shaft 124. A lever 12:"), is also pivoted to shaft 124, which at its upper end is pivoted to actuating lever 126. A- segment 127, having one notch and a spring detent 128, are provided for holding the friction disk 108, in neutral position.

For the purpose of maintaining the friction disk 108, against either of its driving friction wheels 6 or 7, under spring tension, a short lever 129, is pivoted to shaft 124. said lever has a notch in its outer end which engages a head 130 of a pivoted arm 131, which in turn is pivotally connected by means of a link 136, to a stem or plunger 131 movable in sleeve or casing 133, pivoted at 132, to frame 1.

A cap 134, is threaded in the end of sleeve 133, and is apertured to permit the plunger stem extending therethrough and a spring 135, is in the sleeve interposed between the cap 134, and plunger head.

Means are provided for varying the position of the article to be unwrapped whereby the unwrapped strip of fabric. is fed to the spool in exact alignment to properly wind thereon. For this purpose, the shaft 89, is provided, intermediate of its bearings 136, with an eccentrically arranged portion 136 upon which the roller 91 is mounted. and a lever 137, is secured to the end of shaft 89, for actuating the shaft whereby the roller 91 is raised and lowered by oscillating the shaft 89, by reason of its eccentrical mounting thereon. A spring detent 138, is pivoted to lever 137, and a segment plate or guide 139, is bolted to the frame.

Means are provided on which the article wrapped or unwrapped can be rolled 0d of and onto the supporting rollers which comprises a platform 140, having hooked bars 141, secured thereto which engage in the apertured ends 142, of the frame 87.

In some instances the soft raw rubber might be scored or deformed by its own weight on the grooved rollers 9091.

In order to overcome this objection, an improved supporting and rotating mechanism is shown in Figures 23 to 25, which comprises shafts 143--144, journalled to a suitable frame in the tank 77. On the ends of the shafts are sprocket wheels 1455, trained about which are sprocket chains 146, to which are secured connector members 147. A link belt construct-ion 148, is secured to the connection 147, and each is provided with a facing of leather or other suitable fabric 149.

Secured to the frame in the tank at each side of'the supporting apron or'member are a plurality of casings 150, in each of which a plunger 151, is secured and a. sprocket wheel 152, is journalled to -each plunger by means of a shaft 153. Secured on the plunger stem 154, in the casing is a spring 155, which at all times exerts a pressure to keep the desired tension on the plunger, The sprocket wheels 152, engage the sprocket chain and prevents sagging ofthe apron or conveyor other than the normal concavity provided as shown in Figure 25.

The operation is as follows:

The article to be wrapped or unwrapped is rolled up the platform onto the grooved supporting rollers 90-91, and the shaft 102, is rotated to actuate the cable to position the same properly in the shuttle 25.

In winding the investing covering thereon which is usually a strip of canvas, the spool of material is of course inserted on the spool carrier 48, and one end wrapped about the tire and mold. After this is performed the shaft 114, is actuated to adjust the friction disk 108, over the face of the drive friction disks until the overlap indicator registers at the desired overla whatever intermedlate lay may be required. After this the lever 126, is actuated to rock the friction disk 108, to engage the proper friction disk 6 or 7, and the clutch released to drive shaft 4.

The drive shaft is now rotated which in turn operates rollers 90-91, to rotate the tire and mold, and at the same time the shuttle rotates around the article and the spool is rotated to unwind the investing layer of fabric which is wound around the tire and mold,

the overlap being controlled as before described. F

- At the same time the pump is being actuated to pump water from the tank upon the strip of canvas and upon the tire and the water falling on the tire runs peripherally therearound thoroughly saturating the investing covering and the surplus falling from the lowest point of the tire back into the tank.

When the winding is finished, the lever 16, is actuated which releases the clutch and sets the brake shoe 15, on the friction disk 6, thereby stopping the machine and the wrapped casing and mold are rolled on the platform 140, from the machine.

In unwinding a strip from the tire, th

adjustment may be left as before describedand the mold and casing simply turned around in the machine so that which was the right face in wrapping becomes the left face in unwrapping, or if preferred, the. friction disk 108, is shifted to the opposite drive friction disk in which-case the tire is.

reversely rotated. The end of the investing strip is secured to the spool beneath the pin 58. The spool is positively rotated synchronously with the rotations of the shuttle as before described which winds the strip on the spool as it is unwound from the tire and mold.

In order to insure the strip being truly of 4 inch, 1% inches or aligned to wind truly on the spool, the operator actuates lever 137, to control the position of thetire in the machine. It is seen that owing to the eccentric mounting of roller 91, that'by actuation of the eccentric the position of the roller is changed to throw the tire so that the exact alignment of the strip with the spool mav be maintained. In this operation the pump may continue to deliver water upon the wrapping at the point where it is stripping away, assisting in the separation from the rubber.

By the construction disclosed the friction gear 108, may be shifted over the the face of friction disks 6 or 7, .to attain any desired rotation of the article to be wrapped or unwrapped relatively of the rate of rotation of the shuttle and thus any desired overlap of the edges of the fabric or wrapping strip may be obtained.

Likewise by simply adjusting the friction disk 108, the tire may be rotated in either direction which enables tires to be wrapped or unwrapped with equal facility.

Also the spool is positively rotated by the rotation of the shuttle which positively gvinds or unwinds the strip as the case may Inasmuch as a dry winding would stick to the tire after being vulcanized the coverlng with this machine is thoroughly soaked and after vulcanizing the same, is readily removed by use of this machine.

From the construction shown, the friction disk is held by spring pressure against either of its drive disks as the spring impelled caslng 133, is forced past a dead center in either adjustments of lever 126. I

The belt tension device 29,. at all times maintains proper tension on belt 26, so that when wet, it is prevented from slacking across the mouth of the shuttle when rotatingagainst the belt within the shuttle frame.

The friction drive of the spool by means of the friction disks permit slippage of the spool so that the covering strip cannot be torn but as tension varies (and this is practically constantly varying), the slippage enables the work to be done at practically a constant tension.

The supporting and rotating apron or conveyor shown in Figures 23 to 25, is adapted to support the article to be wrapped and to rotate-the same without any danger of mutilating the raw rubber which is necessarily exposed when the wrapping operation is begun.

The various friction drives permit any part'to yield if necessary due to any acci dent from any cause and thus breakage of the machine or winding strip is practically impossible. 7

Where a metallic or partly metallic bandage is used, the construction is such as to preclude injury to the bandage in either winding or unwinding the same from the tread. and as both operations are performed at high speed, the expense of construction of tread wrapped tires is materially reduced.

It is obvious that a great many changes may be made, and that details of construction may be varied through a wide range withoutdeparting from the principles of my invention. I therefore do not desire to limit this application for patent otherwise than necessitated by theprior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a machine of the class described, a rotatable shuttle, a spool rotatably mounted on the shuttle. mechanism operated by rotation of the shuttle for rotating the spool independently of the rotation of the shuttle and means for saturating the material unwound from the spool.

2. In a machine of the class described, a rotatable shuttle. means for rotating an article to be wrapped through the shuttle, a rotatable carrier for the wrapping material mechanism for rotating the carrier as the shuttle rotates to wind or unwind the wrapping material and a pump for delivering water to thoroughly saturate the wrapping material.

3. In a machine of the class described, means for rotatably supporting an article to be wrapped or unwrapped, an incomplete annular shuttle guideway, an open gap shuttle rotatable in said guide-way around the article, rotatable wrapping material carrying means on the shuttle, and means for continually rotating said carrying means during the continuance of the shuttle rotation.

4. In a machine of the class described. an annular frame, a shuttle rotatable thereon, a wrapping'material carrier rotatably secured to the shuttle, a friction drive mechanism actuated by relative rotation between the shuttle and shuttle frame for winding and unwinding the wrapping material, a chain and sprockets operated thereby to rotate the carrier, supporting and rotating rollers for the article to be wrapped, and a friction drive therefor adapted to rotate the article to be wrapped in either direction.

5. In a device of the class described, a shuttle frame, a shuttle rotatable therein, means for driving the shuttle, a plurality of shafts carried by the shuttle and driven from the shuttle frame, a sprocket on each shaft, a sprocket chain connecting the sprockets, a spool on the shuttle, and mechanism for driving the spool from one of the shafts.

6. In a device of the class described, a shuttle frame, a shuttle rotatable therein. means for driving the shuttle, a plurality of shafts carried by the shuttle, means connecting the shafts for simultaneous rotation. a spool on the shuttle, and mechanism for driving the spool from one of the shafts.

7. In a wrappin and unwrapping machine a shuttle, mec ianism for rotating the shuttle in the same direction, mechanism for rotating an article to be Wrapped in either direction through the shuttle, a spool for the wrapping material, mechanism for positively rotating the spool as the shuttle rotates to wind the wrapping material thereon or unwind it therefrom and means for saturating the wrapping as it is being wound on the article wrapped.

8. In a .machlne of the class described, a frame affording an incomplete annular shuttle guideway, a shuttle having a cut out open portion rotatable in said guideway, wrapping material carrying means on the shuttle, and means driven from the shuttle for continuously imparting a rotative force to the wrapping material carrying means.

9. In a device of the class described, a shuttle casing, anti-friction rollers journalled thereto, a rotatable shuttle in the frame ro tatably sup orted on said rollers, a friction belt for driving the shuttle, a plurality of shafts carried by the shuttle, a friction roller on each actuated by frictional contact with the shuttle casing, a gear on each shaft, a sprocket chain connecting the gears, a spool thereon, and mechanism driving the spool shaft from one of the aforesaid shafts.

10. In a machine of the class described, a rotatable shuttle, a rotatable spool on the shuttle, mechanisms for synchronously rotating the same, a water tank'adjustably mounted, a mechanism adjustable therewith, supporting and rotating an article to be wrapped and a pump for delivering Water from the tank to wet the wrapping material.

11. In a machine of the class described. a rotatable shuttle, a rotatable mechanism for supporting and rotating articles to be wrapped and mechanism for delivering moisture to saturate the wrapping.

12. In a machine of the class described, a rotatable shuttle, a rotatable mechanism for supporting and rotating articles to be wrapped, mechanism for delivering moisture to saturate the wrapping, a rotatable Wrapper carrier rotatable with and independently of the shuttle and a mechanism for positively rotating the wrapper carrier.

13. In a machine of the class described, a tank adjustably mounted, means carried therewith for supporting and rotating an article to be wrapped, a shuttle rotatable above the tank.

14. In a device of the class described, a retatable shuttle, a spool carried thereby, a mechanism carried by the shuttle forrotating the spool as the shuttle rotates, a mechanism for varying the overlap of the wrap ping on the article and means for saturating the Wrapping with moisture.

15. In a device of the class described, a shuttle, and mechanism for supporting an article to be wrapped comprising sprocket chains, link belts connecting the sprocket chains, :1 lining of fabric for the link belts, a plurality of spring pressed plungers anda sprocket wheel carried by each plunger and engaging the sprocket chain.

16. In a device of the class described, a shuttle, and mechanism for supporting an article to be wrapped comprising sprocket chains, link belts connecting the sprocket chains, a lining of fabric for the link belts, a plurality of spring pressed plungers and a sprocket wheel carried by each plunger and engaging the sprocket chain, a tank contaming the supporting mechanlsm and a pump communicating therewith adapted to deliver a liquid above the supporting mechanism.

17. In a device of the class described, a shuttle, a wrapper carrier thereon, mechanism rotating the same from the shuttle, a tank below the shuttle, a supporting mechanism therein, a cable and pulleys for adjusting the position of the tank and supporting mechanism and means for pumping water from the tank above the supporting mechanism.

18. In a device of the class described, a shuttle, a wrapper carrier thereon, mechanism rotating the same from the shuttle, a tank below the shuttle, a supporting mechanism therein, a cable and pulleys for adjusting the position of the tank and supporting mechanism, means for pumping water from the tank above the supporting mechanism, mechanism for shifting the article on the support as the same is rotated to align the wrapper with the carrier in unwinding the same from an article.

19. In a device of the class described, a shuttle, awrapper carrier thereon, mechanism rotating the same from the shuttle, a tank below the shuttle, a supporting mechanism therein, a cable and pulleys for adjusting the position of the tank and supporting mechanism, means for pumping water from the tank above the supporting mechanism, mechanism for shifting the article on the support as the same is rotated to align the wrapper with the carrier in unwinding the same from an article and mechanism for regulating the overlap of the strip as it is wound on the article wrapped.

20. In a device of the class described, a stationary shuttle casing, a rotatable shuttle, shafts carried thereon, friction rollers on the shafts adapted to contact the shuttle casing as the shuttle rotates thereby rotating the shafts, mechanism connecting the shafts to rotate synchronously, a spool shaft driven from one of the aforesaid shafts, a friction dlsk thereon, a spool loosely mounted on spool shaft, a friction disk rigidly secured to the spool and a spring exerting a pressure to hold the friction disks together.

21. In a machine of the class described, a shuttle, a mechanism for supporting and rotating an article, and a friction drive therefor comprising oppositely facing friction members, a friction disk between the same, mechanism for adjusting the friction disk across the faces of the friction members, mechanism for rocking the friction disk to engage either member, a spring controlled mechanism for holding the friction disk in contact with either of said members and means connecting the friction disk to drive said mechanism.

22. In a device of the class described, a shuttle, a wrapper carried thereon, a mechanism on the shuttle for rotating the wrapper, a tank below the shuttle, a supporting mechanism in the tank, a cable and pulleys for adjusting the position of the tank and supporting mechanism, and a crank-operated worm gear for operating the cable.

23. In a machine for wrapping or unwrapping annular articles, wrapping material carrying means, adjustably mounted rollers for supporting articles in proper position for wrapping, an eccentric axis for one of said rollers, and means for shifting said eccentric axis to adjust the roller to assure an accurate alignment of the wrapping material on the carrying means.

24. In a machine of the class described, a frame affording an incomplete annular shuttle guideway, a shuttle having a cut out open portion rotatable in said guideway, wrapping material carrying means on the shuttle, and means on the shuttle continuously driven from said frame for imparting a rotative force to the wrapping material carrying means.

25. In a device of the class described, an incomplete annular shuttle frame, an incomplete annular shuttle rotatable therein, wrapping material carrying means on the shuttle and means driven from the shuttle for continuously imparting a rotative force to the wrapping material carrying means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK M. PIERCE.

Witnesses:

CHARLES W. HILLS, J r., EARL M. HARDINE. 

